Ab-sŏlve', v. t.
(ab-sŏlv'), v. t. [imp. & p. p. ABSOLVED; p. pr. & vb. n. ABSOLVING.] [Lat. absolvere, from ab and solvere, to loose; Pr. absolver, absolvre, Fr. absoudre. See SOLVE.]
Sense 1. To set free or release from, as from some obligation, debt, or responsibility, or from that which subjects a person to a burden or penalty; as, to absolve a person from a promise; to absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment.
Sense 2. To finish; to accomplish. [Obs.]
The work begun, how soon Absolved. Milton.
Sense 3. To resolve or explain. [Rare.] “We shall not absolve the doubt.” Browne. “Absolve we this?” Young.
Synonyms—TO ABSOLVE, EXONERATE, ACQUIT. We speak of a man as absolved from something that binds his conscience, or involves the charge of wrong-doing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the obligation of an oath, to absolve from the imputation of criminal conduct. We speak of a person as exonerated when he is released from some burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. We speak of a person as acquitted, when a decision has been made in his favor, either by a jury or by disinterested persons; as, acquitted of all participation in the crime.